GNOME'S FOREST LEARNING CENTER

- Fieldbrook California -

"A Magical Place of Discovery"

The Gnome’s Forest Mission:

"We provide nature based opportunities that allow children to challenge themselves physically and scholastically in a learning environment that is motivated by the natural inclinations of their self directed interests in a mixed aged, inclusive community space."

Who is Gnome's Forest For?

  • Children of kindergarten age and older

  • Children enrolled in independent study programs, local charter schools, or private schools

  • Homeschool families

  • Families practicing other self-directed education models

  • Summer enrichment for children enrolled in public schools

What does Gnome's Forest offer?

  • Nature based learning in a mixed age environment rooted in forest school practices

  • Fostering a connection with nature

  • Place based, seasonally inspired activities

  • Organic gardening and chicken & duck care

  • Building life skills and living in community

  • Wildlife, plant, and mushroom identification

  • Nurturing emotional intelligence & self confidence

What a day at Gnome's Forest looks like:

  • Arrival and tutoring

  • Morning circle

  • Morning meal

  • Small group activities

  • Forest hike

  • Garden and fowl care

  • Lunch

  • Seasonally inspired projects

  • Closing circle

Who we are

Jada

Jada Lindsay was born and raised in Humboldt County. She holds a Wildlife Biology degree from Humboldt State University and a Special Education CA Teaching Credential in Multiple Subjects. While working as a wildlife biological technician and Snowy Plover docent for the Bureau of Land Management she found her passion for Humboldt County’s wild places and fell in love with birds. She conducted threatened and endangered wildlife surveys for the Northern spotted owl, snowy plover and pacific fisher while assisting in the development of the north coast chapter of the Seabird Protection Network. She later worked for Humboldt State University’s Center Activities coordinating outdoor summer youth programs. After becoming a mother she received her teaching credential and became a Special Education Teacher for the McKinleyville school district before deciding forest school and self-directed education was her preferred pedagogy and perfect blend of her skill set.

Steven

Steven Scarborough hails from San Diego but traded people for trees when he moved to the opposite corner of California.  He is an Eagle Scout and received a degree in Park and Natural Resource Management with a certificate in Outdoor Education from CSU Chico. He also holds a Forest School Teacher Certification from the Forest School Teacher Institute and recently completed their Forest School Director program.  When he moved to Humboldt County he worked for the City of Arcata operating their youth science camp which involved cultivating themed weekly lessons, activities, and fieldtrips. Additionally, he has worked as a rafting, backpacking, and rock climbing guide, youth sailing instructor, and was a park aid at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park where he led educational hikes in Fern Canyon.

Past Projects

  • Building a mushroom shaped dog house

  • Knot tying

  • Making brooms with invasive plant species

  • Inoculating mushroom logs

  • Shelter building

  • Certifying our forest as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation

Past Field Trips, Activities, and Parent Volunteer Crafts

  • Mad River Fish Hatchery Field Trip

  • Peking Acrobats at Cal Poly Humboldt Field Trip

  • Mushroom Farm Field Trip

  • Feral Family Apple Farm Field Trip

  • Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

  • Brunner Family Farm Field Trip

  • Firewood Stacking

  • Making Pinecone Bird Feeders

  • Dried Flower Holiday Ornament Craft

  • Wool Felting Craft

  • Clay and Seed Mandala Craft

  • Shell Necklace Craft

  • Stamp Collection and Geography Activity

  • Clay Seed Ball Craft

  • Establishing Vermiculture Bins

  • Microscope Activities

GNOME'S FOREST LEARNING CENTER

- Fieldbrook California -

Open Monday - Friday

- Copyright Gnome's Forest Learning Center -